Singapore's Workforce Overqualification Study

A study by the Singapore===Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore revealed that 19.4% of resident workers are overqualified for their jobs, an increase from 16.3% in 2015. Most of these workers (17.7% of the workforce) voluntarily chose these roles for reasons like work-life balance or better remuneration. Only a small fraction (1.7%) desired a better-matched job but couldn't find one. The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities conducted a similar survey, confirming these trends. Despite a high tertiary education rate, Singapore's overqualification rate remains below the high-income country average, suggesting the creation of high-skilled jobs. The MOM noted that younger workers often start in overqualified roles but progress with experience. The studies also indicate a shift towards skills-based hiring over qualifications, with nearly 80% of job vacancies not listing academic credentials as the primary requirement. However, employers still face skills gaps in specialized roles. To address these, the government and tripartite partners are focusing on skills development and job matching, including the upcoming merger of Singapore===SkillsFuture Singapore and Singapore===Workforce Singapore.